Pen and pencil clip.



J. L. OLSON.

PEN AND PENCIL CLIP.

Patented May 23, 1911.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I 2:

JOHN L. OLSON, OF IBISBEE, ARIZONA TERRITORY, ASSIG-NOR TO 0. J. OLSON, OF DOUGLAS, ARIZONA TERRITORY.

PEN AND PENCIL CLIP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1911.

Clips, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pencil clips of the type adapted to be removably secured to a pencil, fountain pen, or similar article, so as to provide a clasp for ready engagement with the pocket, whereby to hold the article firmly to prevent accidental displacement thereof and possible loss.

In carrying out the invention, a special object in View has been to provide an article of the above nature which is extremely simple in construction and which can be manuactured in large quantities at nominal cost, the peculiar form of the clip being designed with a special view also of causing the same to grip the pencil or article to which it is attached in an extremely firmand advantageous manner.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following detail descri tion and the accompanying drawings, in W ich- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clip embodying the invention adapted to a encil; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the clip a one showing the positions assumed by the coils previous to applying the device to a pencil, pen, or the like; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the clip alone, and Fi 4 is an elevation of the device taken at about a right angle to the view shown in Fig. 2.

Specifically describing the present invention and referring particularly to the drawings, it will be observed that the clip A is made entirely of wire, preferably of spring wire, and comprises a body 1, and the clasp 2. The body 1 is composed of a pair of spring coils 1 and 1", the clasp 2 being an integral extension of said coils. The clip is made from a single length of wire and the clasp 2 consists of the hook 2 and spaced side portions, each coil of the body being integral with one of the sides of said clasp. In the actual formation of the invention the wire is bent at a oint intermediate of its ends to form the finger piece 3, which extends at an angle to the hook 2, the ends of the wire being thence protected in spaced relation from the book 2 and the ends being bent laterally in the same direction and formed into the coils 1 and 1 above mentioned. Normally the coils 1 and 1" tend to spring apart or out of alinement with one another and it is necessary to force said coils into alinement when insertin a pencil, pen, or similar article, into the ho low body 1 of the clip. The tendency of the coils of the body to spring apart is advantageous in that the article to which the clip is applied is very firmly gripped, and the grip is continuous so to speak, throughout the length of the body.

In the actual use of the contrivance the tendency of the coils l and l to spring apart is supplemented by the engagement of the clasp 2 in the action of firmly connecting the clip to the attached part. The finger piece 3 is circular in form and this form increases the spring action of the coils of the body 1 to force the latter apart and increase their gripping function. The outward inclination of the finger piece 3 facilitates engagement of clip with the garment. The sharp angle at which the book 2' extends with relation to the sides of the clasp 2 increases the firmness of engagement of the clasp with the pocket.

It will be apparent that the elements of the coils comprising the body 1 are adapted to interlock or interfold. When the coils are brought into alinement they afford an effective holder to attach the clasp to the pencil or other article at the point The clasp 2 is offset with respect to the body 1 permitting the cloth of the pocket to slip between the pen or pencil more readily.

The simplicity and general advantages of the clip of this invention will be appreciated from the foregoing explanation.

Near the finger piece 3, the wire from which the clip is made is bent inwardly to form the V-shaped indents 3, which structure affords an increased spring action in so far as the tendency of increased sprin actlon tending to separate the coils 1 an 1. The appearance of the device is also lmproved by the above structure. The sharp angle at which the finger piece 3 extends from the clasp 2 is also advantageous in that greater frictional engagement is obtained than is secured in the ordinary clips in use.

In its broader aspect it will be apparent that the present invention comprises a coiled body from one end of which projects a clasp, said clasp, however, being substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body. Not only do the sides of the clasp have a tendency to spring apart, carrying the members of the coiled body in the same direction, but when the device is applied to an article, outward movement of the clasp from a pen or pencil, or in other words, the

, movement of said clasp at an angle to the axis of the body tends to compress longitudinally the elements of the coiled body whereby the necessary spring engagement of the clasp is obtained. Said compression of the coils of the body 1 is similar to the compression of the coils of a spiral spring.

Having thus fully described my invention, what is claimed as new is 1. As a new article of manufacture, a pencil or similar clip comprising a body composed of complemental spring coils adapted to intermesh and receive the pencil,

and an integral clasp projecting from one end of the body and composed of spaced sides and hook portions adjacent to its free extremity, said hook portions tending to force the coils of the body apart when the clasp is pressed against the pencil.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a clip for pencils, pens, or the like, comprising a single length of spring wire bent upon itself between its ends to form a hook, and an integral clasp composed of spaced sides, the sides of the clasp having spring coils integral therewith and movable into alinement, and the elements of the spring coils adapted to intermesh and being normally held out of alinement by the spring action of the clasp.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' 7 JOHN L. OLSON. WVitnesses W. Nuts, 1. W. VALLACE.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

